A breath of fresh air is tough to enjoy when the windows in your home have been painted shut. This occurs when paint seals the joint between the window frame, (called the sash), and the stop -- that's trim that holds the sash in place. Freeing a stuck sash can be a quick-and-simple task. You'll need a few common tools. Start with a utility knife with a sharp blade to cut through the paint between the sash and the stop. Repeated passes with the knife probably will be required to get through several layers of paint. If the sash still won't budge, force a wide-blade putty knife into the joint between the sash and the stop, tapping it with a hammer. This should be done over the entire length of the sash on both sides. If the Sash still won't move, hammer the flat end of a pry bar under one corner of the sash and push down on the end of the pry bar. As soon as the corner raises slightly, repeat the process at the opposite side, alternating sides until the sash is completely free. And that's the On The House tip for today.